Two-wire controlling and monitoring system for irrigation of localized areas of soil

ABSTRACT

A two-wire controlling and monitoring system for irrigation of localized areas of soil includes a water pipeline, a plurality of controllable irrigation valves, a plurality of field sensors measuring specific irrigation parameters, and a plurality of localized irrigation control units. Each irrigation control unit has a sensor decoder connected to a specific field sensor and/or a line decoder connected to a specific controllable irrigation valve. The system further includes a controller and power supply unit that applies a first alternating DC voltage signal to a two-wire cable interconnecting the controller and power supply unit and the irrigation control units. The two-wire cable provides power from the controller and power supply unit to each of the irrigation control units, it transmits schedules of instructions to the irrigation control units through the two-wire cable, and it receives the irrigation parameters from the irrigation control units through the two-wire cable.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation-in-Part of application Ser. No. 10/886,395, filed Jul. 7,2004, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,993,416; which is a Continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/721,461, filed Nov. 22, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,766,221, which is a continuation of International Application No. PCT/DK00/00635, filed Nov. 15, 2000. The disclosures of these prior applications are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This particular invention relates generally a two-wire controlling and monitoring system particularly for irrigation of localized areas of soil.

The most commonly known two-wire irrigation control systems, such as control systems disclosed in US patents U.S. Pat. No. 4,007,458 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,176,395 hereby incorporated by reference, provide control of a number of remotely located irrigation or sprinkler valves from a central location by means of control signals encoded on to a single pair of power transmission lines linking a central encoder and a number of remote decoders.

The two-wire irrigation control system according to U.S. Pat. No. 4,007,458 encodes and transmits an address of a specific remotely located irrigation valve and on/off signals onto an alternating current signal (AC) by clipping half portions of the signal to represent zero values.

Similarly the two-wire interactive irrigation control system according to U.S. Pat. No. 4,176,395 transmits data by selectively clipping the original power frequency signal during eight consecutive cycles, suppressing the power frequency signal during the following full cycle, during which time a feedback signal may be transmitted from sensors located at specific areas, then transmitting eight undistorted power frequency cycles, and suppressing the power frequency signal for one following cycle, during which time a feedback signal relating to a portable operator may be transmitted.

Both two-wire irrigation control systems according to U.S. Pat. No. 4,007,458 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,176,395 communicate to remotely located irrigation valves or decoders by clipping of the power signals consequently while performing a transmission on the power line power to the remotely located irrigation valves or decoders is significantly reduced.

Furthermore the two-wire irrigation control systems according to U.S. Pat. No. 4,007,458 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,176,395 utilizes sinusoidal signals for transmitting power to remotely located irrigation valves or decoders. Sinusoidal signals being AC signals generally need to be converted into DC in order to drive microprocessor electronic circuitry adding total costs of the two-wire irrigation systems for the electronics incorporated in the remotely located irrigation valves or decoders.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a two-wire controlling and monitoring system for in particular controlling a plurality of controllable irrigation or sprinkler valves placed at specific localized areas, monitoring specific irrigation parameters at the specific localized areas and communicating through a two-wire cable with line and sensor decoders located at the specific localized areas while limiting above described power loss due to signaling on the two-wire cable.

A particular advantage of the present invention is utilization of a power supply signal for the operation of the controllable irrigation valves hence performing an improved power transmission within general safety specifications.

A particular feature of the present invention is an improved corrosion resistance.

The above object, the above advantage and the above feature together with numerous other objects, advantages and features which will be evident from the below detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the present invention is according to a first aspect of the present invention obtained by a two-wire controlling and monitoring system for in particular irrigation of localized areas of soil and comprising:

-   -   a water pipeline providing water to said localized areas of         soil,     -   a first plurality of controllable irrigation valves each         positioned at a specific area of said localized areas of soil,         communicating with said water pipeline, providing watering or         non-watering of said specific area of said localized areas of         soil and having a pair of valve control inputs,     -   a second plurality of field sensors positioned at specific areas         of said localized areas of soil, providing specific irrigation         parameters and having a pair of sensor outputs,     -   a third plurality of localized irrigation control units each         comprising a sensor decoder having a pair of sensor inputs         connected to said pair of sensor outputs of a specific field         sensor of said second plurality of field sensors for providing         power to said second plurality of field sensors and recording         said specific irrigation parameters from said second plurality         of field sensors and/or a line decoder having a pair of valve         control outputs connected to said pair of valve control inputs         of a specific controllable irrigation valve of said first         plurality of controllable irrigation valves for providing valve         control signals to said first plurality of controllable         irrigation valves, said sensor decoder and said line decoder         further each having a pair of control and power supply inputs,     -   a controller and power supply unit having a set of schedules of         instructions and having a pair of control and power outputs         supplying power by applying a first alternating DC voltage         signal defining a voltage maximum having a first pulse width and         defining a voltage minimum having a second pulse width to one of         said pair of control and power outputs, simultaneously applying         a second alternating DC voltage signal similarly shaped but of         inverted polarity as compared to said first alternating DC         voltage signal to another of said pair of control and power         outputs and applying an alternating DC current defining a         current maximum having a third pulse width and defining a         current minimum having a fourth pulse width to said pair of         control and power outputs,     -   a two-wire cable interconnecting said controller and power         supply unit and said third plurality of localized irrigation         control units and connecting said pair of control and power         outputs of said controller and power supply unit to said control         and power inputs of said third plurality of localized irrigation         control units and providing said power from said controller and         power supply unit to each of said third plurality of localized         irrigation control units, and     -   said controller and power supply unit transmitting said         schedules of instructions to said third plurality of localized         irrigation control units through said two-wire cable and         receiving said specific irrigation parameters from said third         plurality of localized irrigation control units through said         two-wire cable.

According to the basic realization of the first aspect of the present invention the application of two alternating DC voltage signals having respectively inverted polarity on to the two-wire cable provides an improved power transmission with respect to prior art's application of sinusoidal voltage signals. The improvement is approximately by a factor of 2. Sinusoidal voltage signals although ideal for some purposes impose a restriction on maximum attainable power transmission during a time frame caused by the inherent shape of the voltage signal squared as compared to a square wave voltage signal squared. Furthermore, by relying on slow alternating DC voltage signals for powering of the decoders instead of relying on sinusoidal voltage signals having standard 50 Hz or 60 Hz network frequencies a less noise sensitive and subsequently cheaper circuit may be implemented, since relatively little attention should be given to noise considerations. Additionally, the square wave structure of the alternating DC voltage signal provides an ideal platform for carrying binary information, which will be further described below.

The water pipeline characteristic of the two-wire irrigation controlling and monitoring system according to the first aspect of the present invention is wholly or partly buried under ground, or the water pipeline is placed on the ground. Parts of the pipelines being above ground level provide movable sections that may easily be moved into positions according to the conditions of the local areas. Furthermore the water pipeline is constructed from plastic materials or metal materials such as iron steel, copper, silver, gold or any alloys thereof in any combinations thereof. Generally plastic tubes are favorable since the price is low with respect to metal material pipes and since plastic tubes are more flexible rendering it possible to rearrange the layout of the pipes without causing severe expenses.

The first plurality of controllable irrigation valves according to the first aspect of the present invention are magnetically, electrically, hydraulically or pneumatically operated or combinations thereof. The first plurality of controllable irrigation valves according to the first aspect of the present invention is preferably electrically operated and opened by applying an inrush voltage or current signal followed by a hold voltage or current signal to the pair of valve control inputs and closed by applying no voltage or current signal to the pair of valve control inputs. Further according to the first aspect of the present invention the line decoders provide the inrush voltage, the hold voltage and the zero voltage to the first plurality of controllable irrigation valves by supplying from the pair of valve control outputs a pulsed alternating DC control signal to the pair of valve control inputs in accordance with the transmitted schedules of instructions. The pulsed alternating DC voltage signal defines a maximum differential voltage in the range of 25V to 45V such as ranges 27V to 43V or 30V to 40V or preferably the maximum differential voltage is 35V, defines a minimum differential voltage in the range of 0V to 5V such as ranges 0V to 3V or 0V to 1V or preferably the minimum differential voltage is 0V and defines a line decoder output pulse width in the range of 10 μs to 0.1 s such as ranges 200 μs to 2 ms or 800 μs to 1.25 ms or preferably the line decode output pulse width is 1 ms. The line decoder output pulse width defines a first part having the maximum differential voltage and a second part having the minimum differential voltage. The pulsed alternating DC voltage signal constitutes the inrush voltage by having the first part longer than or equal to the second part during a period in the range 10 ms to is such as 30 ms to 100 ms and constitutes the hold voltage by having the first part shorter than the second part during a period determined in accordance with the schedule of instructions transmitted to the line decoders by the controller and power supply unit. The parts may have any particular lengths to provide for any composition of signals generating a wide variety of average voltages, however the composition described above is optimal for driving an electrically driven irrigation valve with respect to power consumption of the line decoder.

The first pulse width of the first and second alternating DC voltage signals according to the first aspect of the present invention is equal to the second pulse width, is smaller than the second pulse width or is greater than the second pulse width. Preferably the first pulse width is substantially equal to the second pulse width thereby constituting a square wave voltage signal.

The first alternating DC voltage signal and the second alternating DC voltage signal according to the first aspect of the present invention alternate with a frequency less than AC frequency of power networks such as 50 Hz or 60 Hz. The first pulse width of the first alternating DC voltage signal and the second alternating DC voltage signal is in the range 100 ms to 10 s such as ranges 200 ms to 2 s, 300 ms to 1 s, 400 ms to 800 ms, 450 ms to 550 ms, 475 ms to 525 ms or 490 ms to 510 ms, or preferably the first pulse width is 500 ms and the second pulse width of the first alternating DC voltage signal and the second alternating DC voltage signal is in the range 100 ms to 10 s such as ranges 200 ms to 2 s, 300 ms to 1 s, 400 ms to 800 ms, 450 ms to 550 ms, 475 ms to 525 ms or 490 ms to 510 ms, or preferably the second pulse width is 500 ms. By reducing frequency of alternation, toggling or inversion of the first and the second alternating DC voltage signals the noise sensitivity of the circuitry is reduced and furthermore the tolerances as to acceptable accuracy of pulse widths is shifted from μs range to ms range.

The first alternating DC voltage signal and the second alternating DC voltage signal according to the first aspect of the present invention during the first pulse width and the second pulse width averages voltages greater than or equal to zero voltage. Alternatively, the first alternating DC voltage signal and the second alternating DC voltage signal during the first pulse width and the second pulse width averages voltages less than or equal to zero voltage. In particular the first alternating voltage signal and the second alternating voltage signal during the first pulse width and the second pulse width averages an average voltage in the range −5V to −0.5V such as ranges −4V to −1V or −2.5V to −1.5V, or preferably the average voltage is −2V. The voltage maximum of the first and second alternating DC voltage signals according to the first aspect of the present invention is in a range from +10V to +20V, such as ranges +13V to +19V or +14V to +17V, or preferable the voltage maximum is +15V and the voltage minimum in a range from −15V to −25V, such as ranges −17V to −23V and −19V to −21V, or preferable the voltage minimum is −20V. By applying a numerically larger minimum voltage compared to maximum voltage off setting the average voltage below ground voltage the risk for deterioration of the two-wire cable caused by corrosion is significantly reduced since the deterioration of the two-wire cable at locations where the presence of an insulating layer around the two-wire cable has been damaged will be based on an alkaline process. The alkaline process donates electrons to the ground level due to the voltage difference and accepts a layer of ions substituting the missing electrons and thus the layer of ion creates a saturation layer at the exposed part of the two-wire cable reducing further corrosion of the two-wire.

The maximum current according to the first aspect of the present invention is in the range of 0.5 A to 2 A such as 0.75 A to 1.5 A and e.g. preferably the maximum current is 1.1 A, and the minimum current is in the range 20 mA to 150 mA such as ranges 30 mA to 100 mA or 35 mA to 85 mA, or preferably the minimum current is 40 mA. Additionally, the third pulse width defining a part of the alternating DC current signal is greater than the fourth pulse width, and the fourth pulse width defining another part of the alternating DC current signal is in the range 0.1 ms to 10 ms such as range 0.5 ms to 7 ms or preferably the fourth pulse width is shorter than 5 ms. The alternating DC current signal provides low current sequences during which communication may be performed from irrigation control units placed at specific locations to the controller and power supply unit.

Communication from the controller and power supply unit to the irrigation control units placed at specific locations may consist of schedules of instructions according to the first aspect of the present invention. The schedules of instructions are transmitted onto the two-wire system by re-scaling the first pulse width or the second pulse width of the first and second alternating DC voltage signals to a fifth pulse width in the range 10 ms to 49 ms such as ranges 15 ms to 35 ms or 17 ms to 25 ms, or preferably the fifth pulse width is 20 ms indicating a binary “1”, or by re-scaling the first pulse width or the second pulse width of the first and second alternating DC voltage signals to a sixth pulse width in the range 0.5 ms to 9 ms such as ranges 1 ms to 8 ms or 2 ms to 5 ms, or preferably the sixth pulse width is 5 ms indicating binary “0”. By modulating pulse width of the first and second alternating DC voltage signals instead of clipping of portions of the voltage signals significantly improves power transmission from the controller and power supply unit to the irrigation control units while providing ingenious means for communication.

The transmitted schedules of instructions according to the first aspect of the present invention comprise a type declaration determining additional content of a transmission from the controller and power supply unit to the third plurality of localized irrigation control units. The additional content such as an address of a specific designated localized irrigation control unit of the third plurality of localized irrigation control units, data disclosing information regarding actions to be taken by the specific designated localized irrigation control unit of the third plurality of localized irrigation control units and/or a first check and a second check ensuring a safe reception of the transmission is terminated by stop signal having a seventh pulse width. The seventh pulse width is in the range 50 ms to 70 ms such as 55 ms to 65 ms, or preferably the seventh pulse width is 60 ms. The content of transmissions may have numerous purposes and achieve numerous tasks and provide means for performing a wide variety of transmissions comprising a plurality of information types.

The above described type declaration comprising 4 bits provides 16 optional operations such as Arbitration, Data, Control (On/Off), Broadcast, Test and Pole leaving room for still 10 possible operations which according to today's needs is sufficient. However an increase of the transmission size of the type declaration to 8, 16 or 32 bits will even further expand the possible variety of operations.

The address of the specific designated localized irrigation control unit of the third plurality of localized irrigation control units comprises an address transmission size in the range 0 to 128 bits such as ranges 0 to 64 bits or 0 to 32, or the address transmission size is preferably 16 bits. The address transmission size determines the maximum number of possible communicative or addressable irrigation control units connected to the controller and power supply. Therefore, if additional irrigation control units are needed for either operation of sensors or control of irrigation valves the address transmission size may be extended accordingly. The data disclosing information regarding actions to be taken by the specific designated localized irrigation control unit of the third plurality of localized irrigation control units comprises a data transmission size in the range of 0 to 64 KBYTE. The data contained in a transmission may include information regarding timing of opening and closing of the controllable irrigation valves, however the data may include a wide variety of information.

The first check and the second check ensuring a safe reception of the transmission comprise a check transmission size in the range 0 to 128 bits such as ranges 0 to 64 bits or 0 to 32 bits or preferably the check transmission size is 4 bits for each of the first and second check. The first and second check provides means for checking if transmitted information has been properly received.

The controller and power supply unit according to the first aspect of the present invention comprises a microprocessor, a storage unit for storing the schedules of instructions, an output section for providing power to the two-wire cable and transmitting the schedules of instruction on the two-wire cable, and an input section for monitoring voltage of the two-wire cable. An interrupt window is initiated following a DC alternation of the first alternating DC voltage signal and the second alternating DC voltage signal and a power supply period. The power supply period is in the range 250 ms to 550 ms such as ranges 300 ms to 500 ms or 350 ms to 450 ms, or preferably the power supply time period is 400 ms and the interrupt window is in the range of 0 ms to 20 ms or preferably the interrupting window is shorter than 5 ms. The microprocessor controls the output section to apply the minimum current to the two-wire cable during an interrupt window. The interrupt window allows the sensor decoders or line decoders to perform an interrupt during which the decoders may communicate information to the controller and power supply unit.

Each of the sensor decoders and/or line decoders comprises a short circuiting circuit providing an interrupt signal during the interrupt window to the controller and power supply unit by unidirectional short circuiting the pair of control and power supply inputs hence reducing differential voltage of the two-wire cable and no interrupt signal by open circuiting the pair of control and power supply inputs. The interrupt signal is constituted by a voltage drop of the differential voltage of the two-wire cable in the range 5V to 35V such as range 15V to 30V, or preferably the voltage drop is 25V thus the differential voltage is 10V. Hence the voltage of the two-wire cable during the interrupt signals is negative relative to ground voltage e.g. −10V and therefore the alkaline process described earlier is maintained during interrupt signals. The microprocessor records the interrupt signal from at least one sensor decoder and/or line decoder of the third plurality of localized irrigation control units through the input section monitoring voltage of the two-wire cable and subsequently operates the output section to perform a DC alternation of the first alternating DC voltage signal and the second alternating DC voltage signal and operates the output section to terminate the interrupt window and apply the maximum current to the two-wire cable. Additionally, the microprocessor following a recording of the interrupt signal from at least one interrupting sensor decoder and/or line decoder of the third plurality of localized irrigation control units performs a DC alternation of the first alternating DC voltage signal and the second alternating DC voltage signal and transmits the type declaration Arbitration followed by a series of binary “1”s including an answer window for the at least one interrupting sensor decoder and/or line decoder of the third plurality of localized irrigation control units to answer as described below to the binary “1”. The answer window is initiated following a DC alternation of the first alternating DC voltage signal and the second alternating DC voltage signal and a pause period, the pause period is in the range 2 ms to 10 ms such as ranges 3 ms to 8 ms or 4 ms to 6 ms, or preferably the pause period is 5 ms. The answer window is in the range of 0 ms to 20 ms or preferably the answer window is shorter than 2.5 ms. The series of binary “1”s constitute an opportunity for the interrupting decoder to answer yes or no during an answer window in accordance with the interrupting decoder's address. By selecting a series of binary “1”s for obtaining the address from the interrupting decoder the shortest Arbitration transmission is achieved since in case of several interrupting decoders the decoder with the lowest address will be addressed first and decoders with higher addresses will be addressed subsequently at next possible interrupt.

As in the case of the interrupt signal the short circuiting circuit provides an answer signal during the answer window to the controller and power supply unit by unidirectional short circuiting the pair of control and power supply inputs hence reducing differential voltage of the two-wire cable and no answer signal by open circuiting the pair of control and power supply inputs. The answer signal is constituted by a voltage drop of the differential voltage on the two-wire cable in the range 5V to 35V such as range 15V to 30V, or preferably the voltage drop is 25V or the differential voltage is 10V. Hence the voltage of the two-wire cable during the answer signals is negative relative to ground voltage e.g. −10V and therefore the alkaline process described above is maintained during the answer window. The microprocessor interprets the answer signal as an indication of a binary “0” and no answer signal as a binary “1”.

The microprocessor according to the first aspect of the present invention further controls the output section to supply the minimum current to the two-wire cable during the answer window, so as to avoid unnecessary power loss caused by answering decoders transmission of binary “0”s. As soon as the answer from the answering decoder is detected by the controller and power supply unit the controller and power supply unit applies the maximum current to the two-wire cable. Hence the power loss is significantly reduced as compared to techniques in state of the art control irrigation systems.

The second plurality of field sensors according to the first aspect of the present invention comprises a selection of temperature sensors, humidity sensors, pressure sensors, magnetic field sensors, mechanical movement sensors, mechanical strain sensors, flow sensors, fertilizer sensors or any combination thereof. The objective of these sensors is to provide specific parameters giving a complete picture of the conditions of the specific localized areas and may further be implemented in a wide variety of ways in order to obtain specific requested information regarding the conditions of the ground. A further objective of these sensors is to provide irrigation parameters giving a complete picture of the working conditions, functionality and operation of the controllable irrigation valves.

The controller and power supply unit according to the first aspect of the present invention during a declared type of transmission of schedules of instructions requests the specific irrigation parameters from an addressed sensor decoder of the third plurality of localized irrigation control units and subsequently the controller and power supply unit transmits a series of binary “1” including the answer window for the addressed decoder to answer to the binary “1”. The microprocessor records the answer signal from at least one sensor decoder of the third plurality of localized irrigation control units through the input section monitoring the voltage of the two-wire cable and operates the output section to perform a DC alternation of the first alternating DC voltage signal and the second alternating DC voltage signal and subsequently operates the output section to terminate the answer window and apply the maximum current to the two-wire cable. The term DC alternation is to be conceived as a generic term for toggle, inversion or switching between the maximum and minimum voltages of the first and second alternating DC voltage signal. By implementing the communication from the irrigation control units as described above a series of advantages are achieved. The two-wire irrigation controlling and monitoring system consumes little power during normal operation and during transmission of information between the controller and power supply unit and the irrigation control units. By accomplishing the transmission of information using a pulse width defining a binary “1” and a pulse width defining a binary “0” the two-wire irrigation controlling and monitoring system provides an undisturbed power transmission at the same time as exchange of information.

The above objects, the above advantages and the above features together with numerous other objects, advantages and features which will be evident from the below detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the present invention is according to a second aspect of the present invention obtained by a method for controlling and monitoring in particular irrigation of localized areas of soil and comprising the following steps of:

-   -   providing water to said localized areas of soil through a water         pipeline,     -   controlling discharge or supply of water from said water         pipeline, providing watering or non-watering of a specific area         of said localized areas of soil through a first plurality of         controllable irrigation valves each positioned at said specific         area of said localized areas of soil and said first plurality of         controllable irrigation valves having a pair of valve control         inputs,     -   measuring specific irrigation parameters through a second         plurality of field sensors positioned at said specific areas of         said localized areas of soil and said second plurality of field         sensors having a pair of sensor outputs,     -   transmitting control signals to said first plurality of         controllable irrigation valves and said second plurality of         field sensors though a third plurality of localized irrigation         control units comprising a sensor decoder and a line decoder,         providing valve control signals to said first plurality of         controllable irrigation valves and/or recording said specific         irrigation parameters from said second plurality of field         sensors, each of said third plurality of localized irrigation         control units having a pair of valve control outputs connected         to the pair of valve control inputs of a specific controllable         irrigation valve of said first plurality of controllable         irrigation valves and/or a pair of sensor inputs connected to         said pair of sensor outputs of a specific field sensor of the         second plurality of field sensors and having a pair of control         and power supply inputs,     -   providing a set of schedules of instructions by means of a         controller and power supply unit having a pair of control and         power outputs supplying power by applying a first alternating DC         voltage signal defining a voltage maximum having a first pulse         width and defining a voltage minimum having a second pulse width         to one of the pair of control and power outputs, simultaneously         applying a second alternating DC voltage signal similarly shaped         but of inverted polarity as compared to said first alternating         DC voltage signal to another of said pair of control and power         outputs and applying an alternating DC current defining a         current maximum having a third pulse width and defining a         current minimum having a fourth pulse width to said pair of         control and power outputs,     -   providing a two-wire cable, interconnecting said controller and         power supply unit and said third plurality of localized         irrigation control units through a two-wire cable connecting         said pair of control and power outputs of said controller and         power supply unit to said control and power inputs of said third         plurality of localized irrigation control units and providing         said power from said control and power unit to each of said         third plurality of localized irrigation control units, and     -   transmitting said schedules of instructions from said controller         and power supply unit to said third plurality of localized         irrigation control units through said two-wire cable and         receiving said specific irrigation parameters from said third         plurality of localized irrigation control units through said         two-wire cable.

The method according to the second aspect of the present invention describes operation of a two-wire controlling and monitoring system which includes any of the above discussed features and provides a method for achieving significant reductions in power consumption relative to today's state of the art.

The above objects, the above advantages and the above features together with numerous other objects, advantages and features which will be evident from the below detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the present invention is according to a third aspect of the present invention obtained by a localized irrigation control unit for a two-wire controlling and monitoring system including a controller and power supply unit and for in particular irrigation of localized areas of soil and said localized irrigation control unit comprising:

-   -   a field sensor decoder for receiving input signals from a field         sensor, converting said input signals to a binary number and         transmitting said binary number to said controller and power         supply unit, and     -   a line decoder for receiving instructions from said controller         and power supply unit or a mark sender unit, converting said         instructions to a control signal and providing said control         signal to a controllable irrigation valve.

The localized irrigation control unit according to the third aspect of the present invention provides means for irrigating of the localized areas, means for measuring of specific irrigation parameters describing the conditions of the localized areas, means for communicating with the mark sender unit and means performing communication with the controller and power supply unit. The localized irrigation control unit circuitry may be implemented for carrying out communication on a two-wire conducting cable, but may however be implemented for carrying out communication on optic cables or be implement for carrying out communication through radio transmitted signals. The input signals comprising analogue voltage signals, analogue current signals, digital pulse count signals, digital pulse width modulation signals or digital pulse frequency modulation signals or any combinations thereof. The mark sender provides the possibility for manually controlling the operation of the controllable irrigation valves irrespective of the schedules of instructions transmitted by the controller and power supply unit. The mark sender ensures that an operator may initiate irrigation at localized areas by transmitting control signals to the controllable irrigation valve from the mobile mark sender.

The sensor decoder included in the localized irrigation control unit according the third aspect of the present invention comprises a field sensor power supply and field sensor signal amplifier having a pair of sensor inputs connected to a pair of sensor outputs of a specific field sensor, a control and power supply input section having pair of control and power supply inputs connected to a two-wire cable interconnecting the sensor decoder and the controller and power supply unit, a short circuiting circuit having switching means connected between the pair of control and power supply inputs, and a first microprocessor unit interconnecting the field sensor power supply and field sensor signal amplifier and the short circuiting circuit.

The line decoder included in the localized irrigation control unit according the third aspect of the present invention comprises a control and power supply input section having a pair of control and power supply inputs connected to the two-wire cable interconnecting the line decoder and the controller and power supply unit, a valve control power output stage having at least one pair of valve control outputs connected to a pair of valve control inputs of a specific controllable irrigation valve and a second microprocessor unit interconnecting the control and power supply input section and the valve control output.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a schematic overview of the two-wire controlling and monitoring system according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows in perspective a localized irrigation control unit according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention and interconnecting a two-wire cable and a controllable irrigation valve in communication with a water pipeline, and the localized irrigation control unit further being connected to a field sensor.

FIG. 3 shows alternating DC voltage signals versus time provided from a controller and power supply unit on the two-wire cable to at least one of the localized irrigation control units.

FIG. 4 shows alternating DC current signal versus time applied by the controller and power supply unit on to the two-wire cable and received by at least one of the localized irrigation control units.

FIG. 5 shows a control voltage signal versus time provided by a line decoder in one of the localized irrigation control units to one of the controllable irrigation valves.

FIG. 6 shows a transmission of schedules of instructions provided by the controller and power supply unit to the localized irrigation control units.

FIG. 7 shows an example of the contents of a transmission from the controller and power supply unit to the localized irrigation control units.

FIG. 8 shows a alternating DC voltage line signal transmitted on one conductor of the two-wire cable and corresponding alternating DC current signal between conductors of the two-wire cable.

FIG. 9 shows a differential voltage signal between conductors of the two-wire cable and the corresponding two alternating DC voltage line signals.

FIG. 10 shows a transmission of a type declaration followed by a sequence of binary “1”s including an answer window.

FIG. 11 shows a circuit diagram of the presently preferred embodiment of a sensor decoder.

FIG. 12 shows a circuit diagram of the presently preferred embodiment of a line decoder having one valve control output.

FIG. 13 shows a circuit diagram of the presently preferred embodiment of a line decoder having at least one valve control output.

FIGS. 14 a and 14 b show a circuit diagram of a microprocessor and storage section included in a controller and power supply unit according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 15 a and 15 b show a circuit diagram of a power output stage included in a controller and power supply unit according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 16 a and 16 b show a circuit diagram of a mark sender according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The two-wire controlling and monitoring system designated by numeral 10 in its entirety and shown in FIG. 1, provides irrigation of localized areas e.g. a golf course having certain areas needing a particular amount of irrigation and others a smaller amount of irrigation, parks having tree sections, lawns or flower beds all needing particular amounts of irrigation, greenhouse production lines having a series of production steps for plants, flowers or vegetables all needing a particular amount of irrigation or farming fields having a variety of produce needing a variety of amounts of irrigation.

The two-wire controlling and monitoring system 10 has an inlet connection 12 supplying water from a general household water pump station or a water tank to a pump 14. The pump 14 is mechanically, pneumatically, hydraulically, electrically or magnetically driven or driven by combinations thereof and provides a water pressure on a water pipeline 16 enabling the water pipeline 16 to supply water to a plurality of localized irrigation control units 18 positioned at a series of localized areas of soil 20.

The water pipeline 16 may be constructed from metal pipes produced in materials such as iron, steel, copper, aluminum, silver, gold or any alloys thereof and/or plastic pipes produced in materials such as PVC, PP or PE or any combinations thereof.

The localized irrigation control units 18 are positioned at the series of localized areas of soil 20 and provide irrigation to specific areas of each of the localized areas of soil 20 through a plurality of local pipelines 22 possibly mounted with sprinkling gadgets 24. The localized irrigation control units 18 utilizes connections 40 and the pump 14 utilizes connections 26 to communicate through a two-wire cable 28 interconnecting a controller and power supply unit 30 with the plurality of localized irrigation control units 18 and the pump 14. The controller and power supply unit 30 transmits power and schedules of instructions to the plurality of localized irrigation control units 18.

The controller and power supply unit 30 comprises a keyboard 32 for a user to communicate schedules of instructions i.e. controlling timing of irrigation and position of irrigation to be stored and executed by a computer 34. The controller and power supply unit 30 further comprises a monitor 36 for displaying the operation of the two-wire controlling and monitoring system 10 and a printer 38 for printing out information from the computer 34. The computer 34 may include a an internal or external modem through which remotely monitoring and controlling of the computer 34 is achieved and thereby remotely monitoring and controlling of the controller and power supply unit 30. The computer 34 may further have access to internet facilities which similarly provides the possibility for remotely monitoring and controlling of the computer 34 and thereby the controller and power supply unit 30. Additionally, a series of computers for example operating irrigation monitoring and controlling systems like the computer 34 may be monitored and controlled from a central unit located at any position world-wide hooked up to the internet or connecting to the series of computers through use of modems.

The localized irrigation control units 18 are situated in a housing or cabinet 46, shown in FIG. 2, made of a wear resistant material such as metals like aluminum or steel or plastics like PVC, PP or PE. The housing 46 protects the localized irrigation control units 18 from any hostile environment the housing is positioned in.

Each of the localized irrigation control units 18, as shown in FIG. 2, may comprise a controllable irrigation valve 42 controlling release of water from the water pipeline 16 and a line decoder 44 transmitting the necessary schedules of instructions to the controllable irrigation valve 42.

The controllable irrigation valve 42 may be magnetically, electrically, hydraulically or pneumatically operated or combinations thereof, however, according to the presently preferred embodiment of the invention the controllable irrigation valve 42 is electrically operated through connectors placed in a connector box 48 in the housing 46. The connector box 48 comprises a solenoid, which controls the valve in an open or closed position. Variations of current applied to the solenoid cause the induction of magnetic fields, which subsequently activate the valve.

The line decoder 44 receives transmissions of schedules of instructions from the controller and power supply unit 30 through the two-wire cable 28. A pair of control and power inputs 40 connects the line decoder 44 to the two-wire cable 28. A pair of valve control outputs 50 connects the connector box 48 to the line decoder 44. The line decoder 44 applies control signals 100 to the connector box 48 through the pair of valve control outputs 50, which control signals 100, described in further detail below with reference to FIG. 5, are further communicated by the connector box 48 to the controllable irrigation valve 42. Alternatively the line decoder 44 may receive start instructions through radio transmissions produced by a mobile handhold mark sender providing the opportunity to initiate irrigation at specific localized areas regardless of schedules of instructions. This enables manual control of the controllable irrigation valves 42.

The localized irrigation control unit 18 further comprises a sensor decoder 52, as shown in FIG. 2, recording a specific irrigation parameter from a field sensor 54 through a pair of sensor outputs 56 and providing a conversion of the specific irrigation parameter measured by the field sensor 54 to a binary number and additionally performing a transmission of the binary number to the controller and power supply unit 30. The sensor decoder 52 is connected to the two-wire cable 28 through a pair of control and power inputs 58. The specific irrigation parameters may be soil or air temperature, soil or air humidity, water pressure in the water pipeline 16, water flow in the water pipeline 16 or water flow through one of the controllable irrigation valves 42. Furthermore the specific irrigation parameters may be mechanical movement, mechanical strain or magnetic fields which may be utilized for the determination of the functionality or operation of the controllable irrigation valves 42.

The line decoder 44 and the sensor decoder 52 receive power through the two-wire cable 28 from the controller and power supply unit 30. FIG. 3 shows voltage versus time curves of a first alternating DC voltage signal, designated by LA, and a second alternating DC voltage signal, designated by LB, simultaneously provided by the controller and power supply unit 30 to the two-wire cable 28 for powering of the line decoder 44 and the sensor decoder 52.

The first alternating DC voltage signal LA has a positive pulse with a pulse width 64 in the range 450 ms to 550 ms and a negative pulse with a pulse width 66 in the range 450 ms to 550 ms. In the presently preferred embodiment of the invention the pulse width 64 is substantially equal to 500 ms, and the pulse width 64 and the pulse width 66 are substantially equal.

The first alternating DC voltage signal LA has a maximum voltage 146 in the range of +10V to +20V and has a minimum voltage 148 in the range of −15V to −25V. In the presently preferred embodiment of the invention the maximum voltage 146 is +15V and the minimum voltage 148 is equal to −20V.

The first alternating DC voltage signal LA is symmetrical about a line 142 indicating a negative off set voltage of the first alternating DC voltage signal LA, in the presently preferred embodiment of the invention the off set voltage is approximately −2V.

The second alternating DC voltage signal LB is inverted in comparison with the first alternating DC voltage signal LA and has a negative pulse with a pulse width 68 in the range 450 ms to 550 ms and a positive pulse with a pulse width 70 in the range 450 ms to 550 ms. In the presently preferred embodiment of the present invention the pulse width 68 is substantially equal to 500 ms and the pulse width 64, the pulse width 66, the pulse width 68 and the pulse width 70 are substantially equal.

The term inverted in this context means a phase shift between the first alternating DC voltage signal LA and the second alternating DC voltage signal LB of approximately 180°.

The second alternating DC voltage signal LB has a maximum voltage 60 in the range of +10V to +20V and has a minimum voltage 62 in the range of −15V to −25V. In the presently preferred embodiment of the invention the maximum voltage 60 is equal to the maximum voltage 146 of the first alternating DC voltage signal LA, and the minimum voltage 62 is equal to the minimum voltage 148 of the first alternating DC voltage signal LA.

The second alternating DC voltage signal LB is symmetrical about a line 144, which line 144 indicates a negative off set voltage of the second alternating DC voltage signal LB. In the presently preferred embodiment of the invention the off set voltage of the second alternating DC voltage signal is approximately equal to the off set voltage of the first alternating DC voltage signal.

By off setting the first and the second alternating DC voltage signals LA, LB with a negative voltage relative to ground 140 a substantially slower corrosion of the two-wire cable 28 is achieved. In case of negative off set, the current will run from the ground level 140 to copper material of the two-wire cable 28 resulting in an alkaline process, which is less hazardous to the copper material than an electron acceptor donating process relative to ground level 140, achieved in case of positive off set forcing the current to run from the copper material to the ground level 140.

FIG. 4 shows a current versus time curve of an alternating DC current signal 80 provided by the controller and power supply unit 30 between the wires of the two-wire cable 28. The alternating DC current signal 80 has a maximum current 78 in the range of 0.5 A to 2 A, and has a minimum current 76 in the range of 20 mA to 150 mA. In the presently preferred embodiment of the invention the maximum current 78 is 1.1 A and the minimum current 76 is 40 mA.

The alternating DC current signal 80 furthermore has a pulse width 72 defining the period of minimum current 76 of the alternating DC current signal 80, which pulse width 72 is in the range 0.1 ms to 10 ms, and has a pulse width 74 defining the period of maximum current 78 of the alternating DC current signal 80. In the presently preferred embodiment of the invention the pulse width 72 is shorter than 5 ms and the pulse width 74 is lesser than 500 ms. The length of the pulse width 74 is depending on which operation is performed by the controller and power supply unit 30. In case of an Arbitration or data transferring transmission consisting of a series of binary “1”s then the pulse width 74 is shorter than 20 ms. During normal operation the pulse width 74 however, is shorter than 500 ms.

FIG. 5 shows a voltage versus time curve of the control signal 100 provided by the line decoder 44 to the controllable irrigation valve 42. The control signal 100 consists of an inrush signal 102 and a hold signal 104. The inrush signal 102 provides a maximum voltage 82 for operating the controllable irrigation valve 42 in an open position enabling water to flow from the water pipeline 16 to the local pipeline 22 positioned in the localized areas 20. The inrush signal 102 defines a pulse width 88 in the range 10 ms to is in the presently preferred embodiment of the invention the pulse width 88 is in the range 30 ms to 100 ms. When the controllable irrigation valve 42 is completely opened, the line decoder 44 changes the control signal 100 from the inrush signal 102 to the hold signal 104. The hold signal 104 has a reduced maximum voltage 84. The line decoder 44 continues to transmit the hold signal 104 as long as dictated by the schedules of instructions. As soon as the control signal is turned off providing ground voltage 86 to the controllable irrigation valve 42, the controllable irrigation valve 42 closes and thereby disables the flow of water from the water pipeline 16 to the local pipeline 22.

In order to reduce power consumption of the controllable irrigation valves 42 the control signal 100 in the presently preferred embodiment of the invention is construed from a series of square wave pulses 114 constituting an pulsed inrush signal 110 and constituting a pulsed hold signal 112. The square wave pulse 114 defines a voltage maximum 92 having a pulse width 94 and defines a voltage minimum 90 having a pulse width 96 in the pulsed inrush signal 110 and defines the voltage maximum 92 having a pulse width 99 and defines the voltage minimum 90 having a pulse width 98 in the pulsed hold signal 112. According to a first embodiment of the present invention the pulse width 94 and the pulse width 96 and the pulse width 99 are 1 ms, but may be any value in the range 100 μs to 0.1 s. The pulse width 98 is 10 ms, but may be any value in the range 6 ms to 30 ms. The average voltage of the pulsed inrush signal 110 is equal to the maximum voltage 82 of the inrush signal 102 and the average voltage of the pulsed hold signal 112 is equal to the reduced maximum voltage 84 of the hold signal 104. According to a second and presently preferred embodiment of the invention the sum of the pulse widths 94 and 96 and the sum of the pulse widths 98 and 99 are 1 ms, but may be any value in the range 100 μs to 0.1 s. During the pulsed inrush signal 110 the pulse width 94 is substantially larger than the pulse width 96 thereby constituting an average voltage of the pulsed inrush signal 110 equal to the maximum voltage 82 of the inrush signal 102. During the pulsed hold signal 112 the pulse width 98 is substantially greater than the pulse width 99, thereby constituting an average voltage of the pulsed hold signal 112 equal to the reduced maximum voltage 84 of the hold signal 104.

The maximum voltage 82 of the control signal 100 in the presently preferred embodiment of the invention is 35V, but may have any value in the range 5V to 45V. The minimum voltage 84 of the control signal 100 in the presently preferred embodiment of the invention is 0V equal to ground level 86, but may be in the range 0V to 5V.

The controller and power supply unit 30 transmits schedules of instructions simultaneously to transmitting power through the two-wire cable 28 to the line decoder 44. The schedules of instructions are transmitted to the irrigation control units 18 in a sequential binary pattern 118 construed from alternations or toggling of the first alternating DC voltage signal LA and the second alternating DC voltage signal LB. FIG. 6 shows a voltage versus time curve 116 having a normal pattern 126 where the first alternating DC voltage signal LA has the pulse width 64, the maximum voltage 146 and minimum voltage 148 and having the binary pattern 118. The sequential binary pattern 118 is provided by simultaneous alternations of the first alternating DC voltage signal LA and the second alternating DC voltage signal LB. FIG. 6 shows only the first alternating DC voltage signal for simplicity.

The binary pattern 118 defines a binary “1”s by having a pulse width 120 in the range 10 ms to 49 ms and defines a binary “0”s by having a pulse width 122 in the range 1 ms to 9 ms. In the presently preferred embodiment of the invention the pulse width 120 defining binary “1” is 20 ms and the pulse width 122 defining binary “0” is approximately 5 ms.

A transmission of the binary pattern 118 is concluded by a pulse width 124 defining a stop signal in the range of 50 ms to 70 ms. In the presently preferred embodiment of the invention the pulse width 124 is 60 ms.

The transmission of schedules of instructions in the form of the binary pattern 118 from the controller and power supply unit 30 to the irrigation control unit 18, is shown as an example in FIG. 7 and according to the presently preferred embodiment of the invention the transmission consists of type declaration 128 defining the type of operation needed by the irrigation control unit 18. In the presently preferred embodiment of the invention type declarations may be “Arbitration” used for prioritizing functions, “Data” used for transmitting data to the irrigation control unit 18, “Control” used for switching line decoders 44 in the irrigation control units 18 on and off, “Broadcast” used for transmission of data to all irrigation control units 18 in the two-wire controlling and monitoring system 10, “Test” used for testing the functionality of one of the irrigation control units 18 and “Pole” used for extracting specific irrigation parameters from one of the sensor decoders 52 in the irrigation control units 18.

Depending on which type declaration 128 is transmitted, the binary pattern 118 may further consist of an address 130 having a transmission size in the range 0 to 128 bits, data 132 having a transmission size in the range of 0 to 1 Gbits, a first check 134 having a transmission size in the range of 0 to 128 bits, a second check 136 having a transmission size in the range of 0 to 128 bits, and finally the transmission is concluded by a stop signal 138 defined by the pulse width 124. In the presently preferred embodiment of the invention, the type declaration consists of 4 bits, the address 130 consists of 16 bits, the data 132 consists of up to 64 KBYTE (1 BYTE equal to 1024 bits), the first check 134 consists of 4 bits and the second check 136 consists of 4 bits.

FIG. 8 shows a voltage versus time curve of the first alternating DC voltage signal LA and simultaneously a curve of current versus time of the alternating DC current signal 80. During the positive pulse having the pulse width 64 the controller and power supply unit 30 provides an interrupt window 154 during which the alternating DC current signal applies the minimum current 76 to the two-wire cable 28 until an interrupt from the irrigation control units 18 is detected. The pulse width 72 of the minimum current 76 part of the alternating DC current signal 80 determines the interrupt window's 154 active time period. In the presently preferred embodiment of the invention the active time period of the interrupt window is shorter than 5 ms. The precise length of the pulse width 72 is determined according to detection by the controller and power supply 30 of an interrupt from the irrigation control units 18. As soon as an interrupt is detected during the interrupt window 154 the DC alternating current signal shifts state and provides maximum current 78 to the two-wire cable.

The interrupt window 154 follows an alternation 150 of the first alternating DC voltage signal LA and a power active time period 152. In the presently preferred embodiment of the invention the power active time period 152 is 400 ms.

The sensor decoder 52 comprises a short circuiting circuit for unidirectional short circuiting the pair of control and power inputs 58. The sensor decoder 52 may request an interrupt of the two-wire controlling and monitoring irrigation system 10 by unidirectional short circuiting the pair of control and power inputs 58 during the interrupt window 154 and hence provide a voltage drop 158 of a differential voltage 156 between the first alternating DC voltage signal LA and the second alternating DC voltage signal LB, shown in FIG. 9. FIG. 9 shows a voltage versus time curve of the differential voltage 156 during transmission of the request of an interrupt. In the presently preferred embodiment of the invention the maximum voltage of the differential voltage 156 is in the range 25V to 45V or preferably 35V and during the request of an interrupt the differential voltage may drop to a value in the range 15V to 30V. However, in the presently preferred embodiment of the invention the differential voltage may drop to a maximum of 25V or to a voltage of −10V relative to ground voltage.

FIG. 9 furthermore shows voltage versus time curves of the first alternating DC voltage signal LA and the second alternating DC voltage signal LB during the request for an interrupt. As FIG. 9 shows, during the request of an interrupt performed in the interrupt window 154 the voltage difference between the first alternating DC voltage signal LA and the second alternating DC voltage signal LB is significantly reduced, which reduction is detected by the controller and power supply unit 30. In response to the request of an interrupt the controller and power supply unit 30 performs an alternation 160 of the first alternating DC voltage signal LA and the second alternating DC voltage signal LB and performs a shift in state of the DC alternating current signal 80 from minimum current 76 to maximum current 78. Since the short circuiting is unidirectional the effect of the short circuit is avoided following the DC alternation of the first alternating DC voltage signal LA and the second alternating DC voltage signal LB. At the same time the DC alternation indicates to the plurality of irrigation control units 18 that the controller and power supply unit 30 has received an interrupt from one of the plurality of irrigation control units 18 and therefore the plurality of irrigation control units 18 are prepared for the controller and power supply unit's 30 initiation of a transmission 162 of the type declaration “Arbitration” on the two-wire cable 28.

FIG. 10 shows a curve of the second alternating DC voltage signal LB transmitting the transmission 162 comprising a type declaration. If the type declaration transmitted is “Arbitration” then the controller and power supply unit 30 continues its transmission by applying a series of binary “1”s 168 to the two-wire cable 28 in order to obtain an address of the interrupting irrigation control unit 18 having the lowest address. Each of these binary “1”s includes an answer window 166 occurring after a delay 164, during which the minimum current 76 is applied to the two-wire cable 28. If at least one of the interrupting irrigation control units 18 during the first answer window 166 performs a unidirectional short circuiting of the pair of control and power inputs 58, then the controller and power supply unit 30 interprets the resulting voltage drop as a binary “0” indicating that the most significant bit of the address of the at least one of the interrupting irrigation control units 18 is “0”. On the other hand if none of the interrupting irrigation units 18 perform a short circuiting of the pair of control and power inputs 58 during the answer window 166, then the controller and power supply unit 30 interprets a binary “1” indicating that the most significant bit of the addresses of all of the interrupting irrigation control units 18 is “1”. Subsequently the controller and power supply unit 30 initiates transmission of a second binary “1” including a second answer window 166 by performing a new alternation of the first alternating DC voltage signal LA and the second alternating DC voltage signal LB and applies the maximum current 78 to the two-wire cable 28. This process is repeated until the controller and power supply unit 30 has located the interrupting irrigation control unit 18 having the lowest address. In effect the interrupting irrigation control units 18 answer “yes” or “no” to the transmission of the series of binary “1”s 168 in accordance with the interrupting irrigation control units' 18 own address. When the controller and power supply unit 30 has identified for example the interrupting sensor decoder 52 by detecting the sensor decoder's 52 answers in the answer window 166, then the controller and power supply unit 30 continues a new transmission of binary “1”s including answering windows 166 for the interrupting sensor decoder 52 to transmit data from the sensor decoder 52 to the controller and power supply unit 30 by answering “yes” or “no”.

Similar communication techniques as described above between the controller and power supply unit 30 and the individual irrigation control units 18 is utilized during the controller and power supply unit's 30 request for data from the irrigation control units 18 and during any type declaration in which obtaining information from the irrigation control units 18 is required.

Voltage drops outside a designated interrupt window 154 or answer window 166 or voltage drops below an acceptable voltage minimum during such a window (154, 166) may be due to erroneous equipment. Thus voltage drops further may show if the two-wire controlling and monitoring system has faulty equipment. Alternatively, the controller and power supply unit 30 may establish a separate test window in both high and low pulses of both the first alternating DC voltage signal LA and the second alternating DC voltage signal LB. The test window may be initiated following a toggle or alternation of the first and second alternating DC voltage signal LA and LB. According to one embodiment of the present invention the test window is initiated 100 ms following a specific pre-selected alternation and has a length of 10 ms. By reducing the alternating DC current signal 80 to minimum current 76 during the test window erroneous signaling from the irrigation control unit 18 is avoided.

In the presently preferred embodiment of the invention the alternating DC current signal 80 during the answer window 166 is reduced to the minimum current 76, which minimum current 76 lasts for the pulse width 72. The length of the pulse width 72 is determined in accordance with the earliest response from one of the answering irrigation control units 18 and limited to a having a maximum length of 2.5 ms. The answer window 166 during a transmission of a series of binary “1”s is initiated following a non-active time period of approximately 5 ms.

Generally speaking the communication between the controller and power supply unit 30 and the irrigation control units 18 is implemented by utilizing a unidirectional short circuiting circuit in the irrigation control units 18 for transmitting an interrupt request to the controller and power supply unit 30 and for transmitting answers to the controller and power supply unit 30. The reaction of the controller and power supply unit 30 is immediate alternation and consequently a shorter time having minimum current 76 applied to the two-wire cable 28. Even if the reaction of the controller and power supply unit 30 during the process of obtaining information from the irrigation control units 18 during the answer windows 166 is not restricted in the sense that a binary “0” must be 5 ms but rather that a binary “0” is indicated entirely by a short circuiting signal from the irrigation control units 18 at any moment within the answer window. However, the faster the short circuiting signal is detected by the controller and power supply unit the better the power transfer to the irrigation control units 18 becomes.

The two-wire controlling and monitoring system 10 may be configured in a variety of ways. The presently preferred embodiment of the electronics of the two-wire controlling and monitoring system 10 is shown in FIGS. 11 to 16.

FIG. 11 shows a circuit diagram of the presently preferred embodiment of the sensor decoder 52. The circuit diagram shows the short circuiting circuit 170, a control and power supply input section 186 having pair of control and power supply inputs designated by Line-A and Line-B, a constant voltage supply 172, a microprocessor 174 and a field sensor power supply and field sensor signal amplifier 176.

The short circuiting circuit 170 comprises a differential amplifier monitoring polarity of the lines Line-A and Line-B and communication information regarding polarity of the lines Line-A and Line-B to the microprocessor 174. The short circuiting circuit 170 further comprises two transistors for unidirectional short circuiting of the lines Line-A and Line-B. The transistors are controlled by the microprocessor 174 and operated to open or close during interrupt windows 154 and answering windows 166.

The control and power supply input section 186 provides an electrical separation between the two-wire cable 28 and the sensor decoder 52. This is achieved by employing bridge circuitry in combination with a reservoir capacitor. During interrupt windows 154 and answering windows 166 the current supplied to the two-wire cable 28 is significantly reduced and therefore in order to keep the sensor decoder functioning during these short periods the reservoir capacitor supplies the current needed for operating the sensor decoder 52.

FIG. 12 shows a circuit diagram of the presently preferred embodiment of the line decoder 44 having one valve control output. The circuit diagram shows a control and power supply input section 186 having pair of control and power supply inputs designated by LA and LB, a microprocessor 178 and an output power stage 180 for operating the controllable irrigation valves 42 to open and closed positions.

FIG. 13 shows a circuit diagram of the presently preferred embodiment of the line decoder 44 having at least one valve control output. The circuit diagram shows the microprocessor 178 and a plurality 182 of the power output stage 180 for operating a series of the controllable irrigation valves 42 to open and closed positions.

Similarly to the circuit diagram for the sensor decoder 52 depicted in figure the line decoder 44 shown in FIG. 12 and the line decoder shown in FIG. 13 comprise power supply input sections 186 electrically separating the two-wire cable 28 from the internal circuitry of the line decoders 44 in FIGS. 12 and 13. The power supply input section 186 consists of a bridge circuit and a reservoir capacitor.

FIGS. 14 a and 14 b show a circuit diagram of a controller section of the presently preferred embodiment of the controller and power supply unit 30.

FIGS. 15 a and 15 b show a circuit diagram of power supply section of the presently preferred embodiment of the controller and power supply unit 30.

FIGS. 16 a and 16 b show a circuit diagram of a mark sender for transmitting start information to the controllable irrigation valves 42 irrespective of the controller and power supply unit's 30 schedules of instructions. The mark sender provides the opportunity for manually control the controllable irrigation valves 42 to open or close and thereby provide an operator the possibility to manually adjust the irrigation during inspection of for example a golf course.

EXAMPLE

The sensor decoder 52 shown in FIG. 11 and as described above was implemented in a prototype version from the following components.

Fuse P1 230 V Resistors: R1 46R4 R14 39R2 R27 470K R2 46R4 R15 10K R28 470K R3 100K R16 39K R29 56K R4 86K6 R17 39K R30 39K R5 100K R18 10K R31 27K1 R6 100K R19 39K R32 39K R7 100K R20 39K R33 56K R8 10K R21 86K6 R34 100K R9 150K R22 4R7 R35 2K49 R10 768K R23 10K R36 825R R11 22K1 R24 10K R37 2R2 R12 100K R25 10K R38 39K R13 39K R26 10K Capacitors C1 1000μ C6 33p C11 1n C2 10n C7 1n C12 1n C3 100n C8 1n C13 1n C4 10μ C9 100n C5 33p C10 100n Diodes D1 DF04S D6 BYD17D D11 22 V D2 10 V D7 6V8 D12 22 V D3 BYD17D D8 LL4148 D13 15 V D4 BYD17D D9 LL4148 D5 BYD17D D10 3V2 Transistors Q1 TIP122 Q4 BC856 Q6 MJD6039 Q2 BC856 Q5 BC846 Q7 MJD6039 Q3 BC846 Integrated Circuits and Crystal IC1 ST6220 IC3 LM317LM IC5 LMC662C IC2 93C05 IC4 LM358N X1 6.144 MHz

The line decoder 44 shown in FIG. 12 and as described above was implemented in a prototype version from the following components.

Fuse P1 200 mA Resistors: R1 470K R6 68K R11 1M R2 100K R7 56K R12 470K R3 100K R8 470K R13 1K R4 680K R9 1K R18 1K R5 100K R10 33K R19 3K3 Capacitors C1 3n3 C4 10μ C6 1000μ C2 3n3 C5 10μ C7 3n3 C3 3n3 Diodes D1 DF04S D3 LL4148 D5 BYD17D D2 BZX84-10V D4 MLL4690 D6 BYD17D Transistors Q1 BC856B Q3 2SB1214 Q4 2SB1817 Q2 BC856B Integrated Circuits IC1 μPD7556 IC2 93C06

The line decoder 44 shown in FIG. 12 and as described above was implemented in a prototype version from the following components.

Resistors: R1 470K R8 470K R14 3K3 R2 100K R9 1K R15 3K3 R3 100K R10 33K R16 3K3 R4 680K R11 1M R17 3K3 R5 100K R12 68K R18 1K R6 68K R13 1K R19 3K3 R7 56K Capacitors C1 3n3 C3 2200μ C5 1μ C2 3n3 C4 10μ Diodes D1 DF04S D7 BYD17D D13 BYD17D D2 BZX84-10V D8 BYD17D D14 BYD17D D3 LL4148 D9 BYD17D D15 BYD17D D4 MLL4690 D10 BYD17D D16 BYD17D D5 BYD17D D11 BYD17D D17 BYD17D D6 BYD17D D12 BYD17D Transistors Q1 BC856B Q4 2SB1214 Q7 MJD6039 Q2 BC855B Q5 2SB1214 Q8 2SB1214 Q3 2SB1214 Q6 2SB1214 Q9 2SB1214 Integrated Circuits IC1 μPD7556 IC2 93C06

The microprocessor and storage section shown in FIG. 14 a and 14 b and as described above was implemented in a prototype version from the following components.

Resistors: R105 4K7 R14 1M R102 PTC4.3 R104 1K R4 680K R101 0R Capacitors and Inductors C101 100μ C108 22n C6 33p C103 100n C109 22n C7 33p C104 100n C110 22n L101 10μ C105 100n C111 22n L102 10μ C106 100n C112 10μ L103 10μ C107 100n C113 22n Diodes D1 ICTE5 D104 BZW06P6V8B D105 BZW06P6V8B Integrated Circuits and Crystal IC101 27256 IC108 74HC573 IC4 PC812 IC102 62256 IC110 75175 IC5 PC813 IC103 6264 IC111 74HC02 IC6 PC910 IC104 6264 IC112 74HC08 X1 11.0592 IC106 74HC138 IC115 4548 IC107 8031 IC116 74HC366

The power output stage shown in FIG. 15 a and 15 b and as described above was implemented in a prototype version from the following components.

Resistors: R1 390R R17 487K R34 1K R2 1K R18 10K R35 20K R3 Not Used R19 110K R36 1M R4 390R R20 53K6 R37 68R R5 Not Used R21 365K R38 270R R6 100R R22 4R7 R39 47R R7 100R R23 470R R40 100K R8 10K R24 470R R51 390K R9 18K R25 27R R52 10K R10 390K R26 27R R53 1K R11A 2R R27 1K P1 S10K25 R11B 2R R28 47R P2 S10K25 R11C 2R R29 10K P3 S10K25 R11D 2R R30 100K P5 S10K25 R12 1K R31 100K P6 S10K25 R13 1M R32 100K P7 S10K25 R15 10K R33 100R R16 14K Capacitors and Inductors C1 Not Used C12 10μ C51 100n C2 Not Used C13 10μ C52 1μ C3 Not Used C14 10μ L1 25μ C4 Not Used C15 22n L2 25μ C5 1n C16 22n RE1 Relay C8 1000μ C20 Not Used C9 100μ C21 Not Used C10 100μ C50 100n Diodes D1 BYW98 D6 1N4148 D10 1N4002 D2 BYW98 D8 1N4002 D11 1N4002 D4 Z6V8 D9 1N4002 D103 1N4148 D5 Z15V/1W Transistors T1 BC637 T4 BC637 T8 TIP100 T2 BDW74D T5 BDW74D T3 IRFD02 T6 IRFE02 Integrated Circuits IC1 LM7812 IC9 4001 IC13 ADC0834 IC2 CA3240A IC10 4053 IC14 44111 IC3 LM340LA IC11 4094 IC15 TCA365A IC7 LM3395 IC12 4094

The mark sender shown in FIG. 16 a and 16 b and as described above was implemented in a prototype version from the following components.

Resistors: R1 12R R9 100K R17 10K R2 10K R10 100K R18 56K R3 5K6 R11 270K R19 27K R4 22R R12 270K R20 10K R5 2K2 R13 10K R21 1K R6 10K R14 3K3 R22 100K R7 680R R15 10K R23 10K R8 330R R16 2K2 Capacitors and Inductors C1 10μ C6 47n C11 10μ C2 220μ C7 47n C12 100n C3 100n C8 47n C13 220μ C4 220p C9 47n L1 100μ C5 100μ C10 100n Diodes D1 DFO4M D3 10 V D5 3V9 D2 P6KE47A D4 BYW100 D6 1N4148 Transistors T1 IRF9120 T3 IRF110 T4 IRF110 T2 BC337 Integrated Circuits and Crystal IC1 80C31 IC5 74HC541 IC8 LM324 IC2 26G256 IC6A 74HC95 IC9 7555 IC3 74HC573 IC6B 74HC352 IC10 LM317 IC4 X2444 IC7 74HC86 X1 6.144 MHz 

1. A two-wire controlling and monitoring system for irrigation of localized areas of soil, comprising: a water pipeline providing water to said localized areas of soil; a first plurality of controllable irrigation valves, positioned at specific areas of said localized areas of soil, communicating with said water pipeline, providing watering or non-watering of said specific areas of said localized areas of soil and having a pair of valve control inputs; a second plurality of field sensors positioned at said specific areas of said localized areas of soil, providing specific irrigation parameters and having a pair of sensor outputs; a third plurality of localized irrigation control units each comprising a sensor decoder having a pair of sensor inputs connected to said pair of sensor outputs of a specific field sensor of said second plurality of field sensors for providing power to said second plurality of field sensors and recording said specific irrigation parameters from said second plurality of field sensors and/or a line decoder having a pair of valve control outputs connected to said pair of valve control inputs of a specific controllable irrigation valve of said first plurality of controllable irrigation valves for providing valve control signals to said first plurality of controllable irrigation valves, said sensor decoder and said line decoder further each having a pair of control and power supply inputs; a controller and power supply unit having a set of schedules of instructions and having a pair of control and power supply outputs supplying power by applying a first alternating DC voltage signal defining a voltage maximum having a first pulse width and defining a voltage minimum having a second pulse width to one of said pair of control and power supply outputs, simultaneously applying a second alternating DC voltage signal similarly shaped but of inverted polarity as compared to said first alternating DC voltage signal to another of said pair of control and power supply outputs and applying an alternating DC current defining a current maximum having a third pulse width and defining a current minimum having a fourth pulse width to said pair of control and power supply outputs; a two-wire cable interconnecting said controller and power supply unit and said third plurality of localized irrigation control units and connecting said pair of control and power supply outputs of said controller and power supply unit to said control and power supply inputs of said third plurality of localized irrigation control units and providing said power from said controller and power supply unit to each of said third plurality of localized irrigation control units; and said controller and power supply unit transmitting said schedules of instructions to said third plurality of localized irrigation control units through said two-wire cable and receiving said specific irrigation parameters from said third plurality of localized irrigation control units through said two-wire cable.
 2. The two-wire irrigation controlling and monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein said water pipeline is in contact with the ground, and wherein said water pipeline is constructed from a material selected from the group consisting of plastic and metal, the metal being selected from the group consisting of at least one of iron, steel, copper, silver, gold, any alloys thereof, and any combinations thereof.
 3. The two-wire irrigation controlling and monitoring system according to claims 1 or 2, wherein said first plurality of controllable irrigation valves are operated by a mechanism that is selected from the group consisting of a magnetic mechanism, an electrical mechanism, a hydraulic mechanism, a pneumatic mechanism, and any combination of the aforesaid mechanisms, wherein said first plurality of controllable irrigation valves are opened by applying an inrush signal followed by a hold signal to said pair of valve control inputs and closed by applying a zero signal to said pair of valve control inputs, and wherein said second plurality of field sensors comprises sensors selected from the group consisting of temperature sensors, humidity sensors, pressure sensors, flow sensors, magnetic field sensors, mechanical movement sensors, mechanical strain sensors, fertilizer sensors and any combination of the aforesaid sensors.
 4. The two-wire irrigation controlling and monitoring system according to either of claims 1 or 2, wherein said first alternating DC voltage signal and said second alternating DC voltage signal alternate with a frequency less than about 50 Hz.
 5. The two-wire irrigation controlling and monitoring system according to either of claims 1 or 2, wherein at least one of said first and second pulse widths of said first alternating DC voltage signal and said second alternating DC voltage signal is in the range 100 ms to 10 s.
 6. The two-wire irrigation controlling and monitoring system according to either of claims 1 or 2, wherein said voltage maximum is in a range from +10V to +20V, and wherein said voltage minimum is in a range from −15V to −25V.
 7. The two-wire irrigation controlling and monitoring system according to claims 1 or 2, wherein said first alternating DC voltage signal and said second alternating DC voltage signal during said first pulse width and said second pulse width have an average voltage in the range −5V to −0.5V.
 8. The two-wire irrigation controlling and monitoring system according to claims 1 or 2, wherein said current maximum is in the range of 0.5 A to 2 A, and wherein said current minimum is in the range 20 Ma to 150 Ma.
 9. The two-wire irrigation controlling and monitoring system according to claims 1 or 2, wherein said third pulse width is greater than said fourth pulse width, and wherein said fourth pulse width is in the range 0.1 ms to 10 ms.
 10. The two-wire irrigation controlling and monitoring system according to claim 3, wherein said line decoder provides said inrush signal, said hold signal and said zero signal to said first plurality of controllable irrigation valves by supplying from said pair of valve control outputs a pulsed alternating DC control signal to said pair of valve control inputs in accordance with said transmitted schedules of instruction, and wherein said pulsed alternating DC control signal defining a maximum voltage in the range of 25V to 45V and a minimum voltage in the range of 0V to 5V, said line decoder output pulse width defining a first part having said maximum voltage and a second part having said minimum voltage, and wherein said pulsed alternating DC control signal constitutes said inrush signal, by having said first part longer than or equal to said second part during a period in the range 10 ms to 1 s, and constitutes said hold signal and by having said first part shorter than said second part during a period determined in accordance with said schedule of instructions transmitted to said line decoders by said controller and power supply unit.
 11. The two-wire irrigation controlling and monitoring system according to claims 1 or 2, wherein said schedules of instructions are transmitted onto said two-wire cable by re-scaling one of said first pulse width and said second pulse width to one of a first re-scaled pulse width in the range 10 ms to 49 ms indicating a binary “1” and a second re-scaled pulse width in the range 0.1 ms to 9 ms indicating a binary “0”, and wherein said schedules of instructions comprise a type of declaration determining additional content of a transmission from said controller and power supply unit to said third plurality of localized irrigation control units, said additional content being selected from the group consisting of an address of a specific designated localized irrigation control unit of said third plurality of localized irrigation control units, data disclosing information regarding actions to be taken by said specific designated localized irrigation control unit of said third plurality of localized irrigation control units, and a first check and a second check ensuring a safe reception of said transmission, wherein said transmission is terminated by a stop signal having a stop signal pulse width in the range of 50 ms to 70 ms.
 12. The two-wire irrigation controlling and monitoring system according to claim 11, wherein said type of declaration comprises 4 bits and provides 16 optional operations selected from the group consisting of Arbitration, Data, Control (On/Off), Broadcast, Test, and Pole; wherein said address of said specific designated localized irrigation control unit of said third plurality of localized irrigation control units comprises an address transmission size in the range 0 to 128 bits; wherein said data disclosing information regarding actions to be taken by said specific designated localized irrigation control unit of said third plurality of localized irrigation control units comprises a data transmission size in the range of 0 to 64 KBYTE; and wherein said first check and said second check ensuring a safe reception of said transmission comprise a check transmission size in the range of 0 to 128 bits.
 13. The two-wire irrigation controlling and monitoring system according to claims 1 or 2, wherein a differential voltage is created in said two-wire cable, and wherein said controller and power supply unit comprises: a microprocessor; a storage unit for storing said schedules of instructions; an output section for providing power to said two-wire cable and transmitting said schedules of instructions on said two-wire cable; and an input section for monitoring the voltage of said two-wire cable; wherein said microprocessor controls said output section to apply said current minimum to said two-wire cable during an interrupt window; wherein each of said sensor decoders and line decoders comprises a short circuiting circuit providing (1) an interrupt signal during said interrupt window to said controller and power supply unit by unidirectionally short circuiting said pair of control and power supply inputs, thereby reducing the differential voltage of said two-wire cable, and (2) a no interrupt signal by open circuiting said pair of control and power supply inputs, wherein said interrupt signal is constituted by a voltage drop of said differential voltage of said two-wire cable in the range of 5V to 35V; and wherein said interrupt window is initiated following a DC alternation of said first alternating DC voltage signal and said second alternating DC voltage signal and a power supply period in the range of 250 ms to 550 ms, wherein said interrupt window is in the range of 0 to 20 ms.
 14. The two-wire irrigation controlling and monitoring system according to claim 13, wherein said microprocessor records said interrupt signal from at least one of said sensor decoders and line decoders of said third plurality of said localized irrigation control units through said input section monitoring voltage of said two-wire cable, and subsequently operates said ouput section to perform a DC alternation of said first alternating DC voltage signal and said second alternating DC voltage signal, and operates said ouput section to terminate said interrupt window and to apply said current maximum to said two-wire cable; and wherein said microprocessor, following a recording of said interrupt signal from at least one interrupting decoder selected from the sensor decoders and the line decoders of said third plurality of localized irrigation control units, performs a DC alternation of said first alternating DC voltage signal and said second alternating DC voltage signal, and transmits a type declaration providing an Arbitration operation followed by a series of binary “1”s, including an answer window for said at least one interrupting decoder to answer to said binary “1”s; and wherein said answer window is initiated following a DC alternation of said first alternating DC voltage signal, said second alternating DC voltage signal, and a pause period in the range of 2 ms to 10 ms, whereby said answer window is in the range of 0 to 20 ms.
 15. The two-wire irrigation controlling and monitoring system according to claim 14, wherein said short circuiting circuit provides (1) an answer signal during said answer window to said controller and power supply unit by unidirectionally short circuiting said pair of control and power supply inputs, thereby reducing the differential voltage of said two-wire cable, and (2) a no answer signal by open circuiting said pair of control and power supply inputs; and wherein said answer signal is constituted by a voltage drop in said differential voltage of said two-wire cable in the range of 5V to 35V; and wherein said microprocessor controls said output section to supply said current minimum to said two-wire cable during said answer window.
 16. The two-wire irrigation controlling and monitoring system according to claim 15, wherein said controller and power supply unit, during a declared type of transmission of schedules of instructions, requests said specific irrigation parameters from an addressed sensor decoder of said third plurality of localized irrigation control units, and subsequently said controller and power supply unit transmits a series of binary “1”s, including said answer window, for said addressed sensor decoder to answer said binary “1”s; and wherein said microprocessor (1) records said answer signal from at least one sensor decoder of said third plurality of localized irrigation control units by using said input section to monitor said differential voltage of said two-wire cable, and (2) operates said output section to perform a DC alternation of first alternating DC voltage signal and said second alternating DC voltage signal, and (3) subsequently operates said output section to terminate said answer window and to apply said current maximum to said two-wire cable; and wherein said microprocessor interprets said answer signal as a binary “0” and a no answer signal as a binary “1”.
 17. A method for controlling and monitoring irrigation of localized areas of soil, comprising the steps of: providing water to said localized areas of soil through a water pipeline; controlling the discharge or supply of water from said water pipeline; providing watering or non-watering of specific areas of said localized areas of soil through a first plurality of controllable irrigation valves, positioned at said specific areas of said localized areas of soil, said first plurality of controllable irrigation valves having a pair of valve control inputs; measuring specific irrigation parameters through a second plurality of field sensors positioned at said specific areas of said localized areas of soil and said second plurality of field sensors having a pair of sensor outputs; transmitting control signals to said first plurality of controllable irrigation valves and said second plurality of field sensors though a third plurality of localized irrigation control units comprising a sensor decoder and a line decoder, providing valve control signals to said first plurality of controllable irrigation valves and/or recording said specific irrigation parameters from said second plurality of field sensors, each of said third plurality of localized irrigation control units having a pair of valve control outputs connected to said pair of valve control inputs of a specific controllable irrigation valve of said first plurality of controllable irrigation valves and/or a pair of sensor inputs connected to said pair of sensor outputs of a specific field sensor of said second plurality of field sensors and having a pair of control and power supply inputs; providing a set of schedules of instructions by means of a controller and power supply unit having a pair of control and power outputs supplying power by applying a first alternating DC voltage signal defining a voltage maximum having a first pulse width and defining a voltage minimum having a second pulse width to one of said pair of control and power outputs, simultaneously applying a second alternating DC voltage signal similarly shaped but of inverted polarity as compared to said first alternating DC voltage signal to another of said pair of control and power outputs and applying an alternating DC current defining a current maximum having a third pulse width and defining a current minimum having a fourth pulse width to said pair of control and power outputs; providing a two-wire cable, interconnecting said controller and power supply unit and said third plurality of localized irrigation control units through a two-wire cable connecting said pair of control and power outputs of said controller and power supply unit to said control and power inputs of said third plurality of localized irrigation control units and providing said power from said control and power unit to each of said third plurality of localized irrigation control units; and transmitting said schedules of instructions from said controller and power supply unit to said third plurality of localized irrigation control units through said two-wire cable and receiving said specific irrigation parameters from said third plurality of localized irrigation control units through said two-wire cable. 